Title: 1920 - Prohibition

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About: With the passage of the 18th Amendment, American lawmakers enacted a nationwide ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, which was to last until 1933.

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Prohibition was the result of a widespread temperance movement during the first decades of the 20th century. The vocal Anti-Saloon League, as well as the evangelical Protestantism, played a strong role in the temperance movement, with alcohol being identified as the a corrupting and ungodly societal evil. In addition, many factory owners supported prohibition in their desire to prevent accidents and increase the efficiency of their workers in an era of increased industrial production and extended working hours.

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Both federal and local government struggled to enforce Prohibition over the course of the 1920s.  In general, Prohibition was enforced much more strongly in areas where the population was sympathetic to the legislation–mainly rural areas and small towns–and much more loosely in urban areas. Despite very early signs of success, including a decline in arrests for drunkenness and a reported 30 percent drop in alcohol consumption, those who wanted to keep drinking found ever-more inventive ways to do it.

 

Millions of Americans were willing to drink liquor illegally, which gave rise to bootlegging (the illegal production and sale of liquor) and speakeasies (illegal, secretive drinking establishments), both of which were capitalized upon by organized crime. Indeed, Al Capone - the infamous Chicago gangster - was estimated to have made $60 million annually from bootleg operations and speakeasies.

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Decade: 1920s

Year: 1920

Region: North America
Country: USA

Society: Culture
Society: Crime

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Type: Historical Event

Impact: 6

Artist: Ianika Morano

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Group: Genesis

Number: 20/100

Price: 0.6 ETH

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